Maldon Salt Coffee Macaroons
Macaroons are considered dainty and beautiful treats and are surprisingly simple to make too. These delicious coffee ones have sweet almondy shells which are sandwiched between a salty and rich dark chocolate ganache – they are perfect when paired with the Salted Caramel Espresso martinis as an after-dinner showstopper.
Ingredients:
100g egg whites, 110g caster sugar, 120g ground almonds, 100g icing sugar, 2 tsp espresso powder, cocoa powder, for dusting. For the Ganache: 200g dark chocolate, pinch of Maldon salt, 300ml double cream. Makes 15 macaroons.
Method:
• In a food processor, place the icing sugar, ground almonds and espresso powder. Blitz together until fine in texture.
• Sift this through a sieve into a large bowl and discard any larger bits that don’t pass through. In a separate bowl, use an electric whisk to beat together the egg whites until they resemble soft peaks. Slowly add the sugar – a tsp at a time – whisking to incorporate after each addition. Keep whisking until all the sugar is added and the egg whites are glossy and at stiff peak stage.
• Tip the egg whites into the ground almonds and fold them through until fully incorporated, trying not to overmix.
• Line two baking trays with baking paper. A good tip is to use a little of the macaroon mixture to stick the corners of the paper to the tray to ensure it doesn’t blow and flutter in the oven. Place the macaroon mixture into a piping bag with a small nozzle attached. Pipe 30 small circles (15 on each tray). Then bang the tray onto the work surface firmly a couple of times to knock any air bubbles out. Leave the macaroons to dry out at room temperate for 1 hour.
• Preheat the oven to 180C.
• While the macaroons are drying, make the ganache. Finely chop the dark chocolate and place in a large heatproof bowl along with a pinch of Maldon salt. Pour the cream into a small pan and heat gently until it reaches scalding point but before boiling. Pour the hot cream over the chocolate and then without stirring, leave it to sit for 2 minutes. After 2 minutes, use a whisk to mix and combine the chocolate into the cream – it will thicken and become smooth and glossy. Set aside.
• After an hour, put the macaroons into the preheated oven and bake for 15 – 20 minutes until crisp. Remove from the oven and allow them to cool completely.
• Once cool, sandwich the shells together with the ganache. Dust them with cocoa powder and serve alongside salted caramel espresso martinis.
Salted Caramel Espresso Martini
Salted caramel works beautifully in this take on a classic espresso martini. Delicious served after dinner, especially with Coffee Macaroons.
Ingredients:
2 tbsp caramel sauce, 1 tsp Maldon salt, 50ml hot espresso, 70ml vodka, 50ml coffee liqueur, ice, cocoa powder, for dusting and 3 coffee beans, for garnish. Serves 1.
Method:
Mix together the hot espresso with the caramel sauce and Maldon salt, stir together so the caramel and salt melt. Place this into the fridge or freezer to cool completely.
In a cocktail shaker add ice cubes, then the cooled espresso, vodka and coffee liqueur. Shake it well for 1 minute. Then pour into martini glasses through a fine strainer, making sure to add all the liquid. Dust half the top with cocoa powder and garnish with 3 coffee beans. Serve immediately.
Recipes provided by www.maldonsalt.com.
